Australia visa policy to target skilled migrants

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As part of the country's efforts to produce a more skilled workforce, the government has announced plans to change Australia visa and immigration requirements to allow for more skilled workers.

Immigration Minister Chris Bowen says Australia will make it easier for skilled migrants, particularly from Asia, to move to Australia.

In a recently published whitepaper report titled 'Australia in the Asian Century' recommendations were made that the Australian visa and immigration systems need to remain flexible and open to burgeoning markets and developments, particularly in the Asian region.

"Even with the government's unprecedented investment in tertiary education and upskilling Australians, we need migrants who bring their specialist skills to Australia," said Immigration Minister Chris Bowen.

European countries, and particularly the UK and Ireland, have traditionally been the largest source of migrants to Australia in recent decades but the emergence of China and India as world economies have seen the two Asian nations top the tables in recent years.

In order to capitalise on the region's development, Mr Bowen said the Department of Immigration and Citizenship would be improving its immigration networks within the region and improving online facilities to allow more Asian migrants and tourists to come to Australia.

"We are making it easier than ever for tourists from the Asian region to visit Australia and contribute to our economic and cultural growth," said the minister.

"We need to be able to take advantage of the expected increase in regional travel across Asia and the subsequent emerging tourist markets."

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